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Receiving and Killing
Task 3: Live Hang
Employees lift live poultry from the supply conveyer and hang the birds by their feet from a shackle conveyor.
Hazards of this task may include:
Reaching to conveyor and shackles |
Hazardous Situation:
Ergonomic
hazards of reaching down to access birds on supply conveyor and
reaching up to hang them on the shackle conveyor can lead to shoulder,
back, and neck strain because of awkward postures and repetitive
motion. The employees at the beginning of the line often work faster than those near
the end of the line causing fatigue. Workers stand
for long periods of time.
Possible Solutions:
- Minimize forward reaches by moving shackle conveyor towards employee.
- Minimize
vertical distance between shackles and belt conveyor to reduce
lifting of the arms to reach shackle and bending down to reach
supply conveyor.
- Rotate
employees up and down hanging line to vary the rate at
which they perform the task.
- Ramp shackle conveyor down toward the end of the line where there is less interference from birds on supply conveyor.
- Provide height-adjustable stands for shorter employees.
- Provide anti-fatigue mats.
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Disease exposure |
Hazardous Situation:
Workers get covered with poultry mess and dust that can expose them to diseases
associated with handling live chickens and contact with poultry feces
and dust, such as allergic alveolitis, cryptosporidiosis, histoplasmosis, hypersensitivity
pneumonitis, psittacosis, and Newcastle disease.
Possible Solutions:
- Install adequate ventilation systems that would reduce exposure to aerosolized
dust. Supply make-up air from behind employee and exhaust from far side of the conveyor.
- Provide proper personal protective equipment and clothing.
- Provide facilities for employees to clean up before eating.
- Train workers to follow prescribed hand washing procedures.
- Follow good housekeeping procedures.
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Poor lighting |
Hazardous Situation:
It is difficult for workers to see when lighting is reduced to calm the
chickens. This lack of illumination contributes to slips, falls and
cuts, and makes inadequately guarded fans even more dangerous.
Possible Solutions:
- Provide appropriate light for entry and exit.
- Keep walkways clean and free of debris and obstacles.
- Provide enough space between workers to avoid cuts.
- Make sure all fans both for contamination control and comfort, that are
mounted less than 7 feet above the working surface, are adequately
guarded.
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Standing for a long time |
Hazardous Situation:
Standing for a long time can cause pain and strains in the legs and
lower back. Common types of footwear worn in this area (e.g. rubber
boots) do not provide much arch support.
Possible Solutions:
- Install sit/stand stools, which allow employees to lean
and have their weight supported while still remaining in an
upright posture.
- Install height-adjustable
stands so cuts can be performed at mid-chest level.
- Rotate
to tasks that do not require prolonged standing.
- Provide shoe insoles that cushion the feet and spread foot
pressure over a larger surface.
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